By AnnMarie McDonald, Bank of America
Bank of America has announced a $16,000 grant to the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University to drive small business growth and income creation.
By strategically investing in education, mentorship, financial support, technical assistance, and holistic services, this Bank of America grant will maximize both individual and community-level impact in Leon County.
This investment focuses on small business through instruction in business fundamentals, financial literacy and professional exposure, enabling participants to apply knowledge while reducing financial barriers to business growth. Access to leadership skills training is critical for driving Tallahassee’s economic growth by fostering resilient small businesses and promoting lasting economic mobility.
“Partnering with nonprofit institutions like the Jim Moran Institute is part of our approach to fostering economic mobility,” said David Hulse, president, Bank of America Tallahassee. “These investments demonstrate how we are taking action to provide our Tallahassee community the essential resources and support needed to help people succeed in today’s and tomorrow’s economy.”
Small businesses play a significant role in the Leon County business community, employing 42.3% of the local workforce, according to Florida Scorecard. In addition, 5,138 new business startups were recorded in Leon County in 2024. While the number declined slightly from the previous year, it demonstrates a strong level of entrepreneurial activity in the county.
“This grant will allow the Jim Moran Institute to expand the impact of our Small Business Executive Program (SBEP), Nonprofit Executive Program (NPEP) and LEAP initiative, equipping entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders with the knowledge, resources and confidence they need to grow and succeed,” said Marina Lickson, Northwest Florida Director, Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship. “We are especially excited about the opportunity to explore new ways to support our alumni beyond graduation, including the potential for microgrants that can help turn ideas into action. Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of investing in people, strengthening local businesses, and building more resilient communities.”
These grants build on the $3.2 million Bank of America provided to Tallahassee organizations since 2020 and are part of the company’s commitment to delivering responsible growth to improve the financial lives of individuals, families and entire communities. Philanthropic and volunteer investments continue to play a key role in this effort to build thriving communities.
Additional background about Bank of America’s Charitable Foundation giving can be found here.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million clients with approximately 3,500 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. As the #1 small business lender in the United States (FDIC), Bank of America offers industry leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.